QA / Test Leader (Telecoms) | LA International | Bristol, Stratford or Hursley, UK (Hybrid)

Position Summary

LA International is actively seeking an experienced, high-caliber, and technical QA / Test Leader (Telecoms) with a strong professional background in telecommunications quality assurance, network test management, and public sector programme delivery to join our high-profile central government assurance engagement on an initial 6-month contract basis (Inside IR35, hybrid working with 2-3 days per week onsite in Bristol, Stratford, or Hursley). In this critical hands‑on leadership and supplier assurance role, you will be responsible for driving quality assurance, managing RAN supplier delivery against network KPIs, overseeing test governance, and engaging with senior executive stakeholders. You will leverage your deep specialist expertise in end‑to‑end telecommunications workflows, supplier performance management, and test methodologies to deliver uncompromised service resilience, compliance, and operational excellence. This opportunity offers competitive daily remuneration, executive technical visibility, and exceptional career growth prospects within a premier global IT staffing and public sector consulting enterprise.

Detailed Job Description

As a QA / Test Leader (Telecoms) supporting LA International across Bristol, Stratford, or Hursley, UK, you will take full operational, tactical, and technical ownership of end‑to‑end quality assurance, supplier audit activities, test governance frameworks, and performance monitoring across complex government telecommunications programmes. Your day‑to‑day responsibilities include driving rigorous assurance across high‑profile public sector engagements, operating at a programme level to balance strategic oversight with hands‑on delivery, leading RAN supplier assurance by monitoring, auditing, and challenging supplier delivery against strict network KPIs (such as call drop rates, latency, throughput, and block rates), driving supplier and vendor performance, accountability, and corrective action plans, leading governance, compliance, and quality assurance frameworks across multiple delivery partners, managing senior and executive stakeholders across complex government programmes, collaborating closely with cross‑functional technical squads, test managers, and client representatives, preparing comprehensive technical documentation of test strategies, assurance reports, and audit runbooks, and managing application requirements by sending your updated resume via direct email to Harry Bradbury at hbradbury@lainternational.com. You will utilize your proactive troubleshooting and analytical problem‑solving skills to resolve complex assurance and vendor discrepancies under strict service level agreements. Furthermore, you will manage application requirements ensuring strict compliance with the initial 6‑month contract duration, hybrid on‑site presence (2‑3 days per week), and mandatory SC security clearance eligibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive comprehensive quality assurance and test leadership across high‑profile central government telecommunications programmes.
• Lead RAN supplier assurance by monitoring, auditing, and challenging supplier delivery against strict network KPIs.
• Evaluate and report on critical network performance metrics including call drop rates, latency, throughput, and block rates.
• Drive vendor performance, operational accountability, and continuous improvement across third‑party suppliers.
• Establish, lead, and enforce robust governance, compliance, and quality assurance frameworks.
• Manage senior and executive stakeholders effectively across complex multi‑vendor government programmes.
• Balance strategic programme‑level oversight with hands‑on technical test delivery and assurance activities.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive technical documentation of test plans, assurance audits, and performance reports.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 8+ years of progressive professional experience in software quality assurance, test management, or telecommunications testing.
• Proven, demonstrable hands‑on professional experience in a QA/Test leadership role within complex telecommunications environments.
• Strong, practical knowledge of radio access network (RAN) architecture, wireless protocols, and broader network domains.
• Deep practical experience in supplier assurance, vendor management, SLA governance, and network performance monitoring.
• Exceptional ability to operate at a programme level, balancing strategic oversight with hands‑on technical delivery.
• Outstanding stakeholder management, negotiation, and communication skills with experience engaging executive stakeholders.
• Mandatory eligibility and willingness to undertake Security Check (SC) clearance (approximate 8‑week lead time if not currently active).
• Mandatory legal work eligibility and physical availability for hybrid professional operations in Bristol, Stratford, or Hursley, UK.

Nice‑to‑Have Skills

• Professional certifications such as ISTQB Advanced Test Manager, ISEB, Project Management Professional (PMP), or Agile Scrum Master.
• Prior professional working experience in UK public sector, central government departments, or defence telecommunications programmes.
• Hands‑on familiarity with automated testing frameworks, performance testing tools, and continuous integration pipelines.
• Experience utilizing enterprise test management and collaboration suites (Jira, Confluence, HP ALM).
• Exposure to ITIL service management frameworks and telecommunications assurance reporting standards.

Application Information

• Recruiter: LA International Recruitment Division
• Contact Name: Harry Bradbury (Associate Account Manager)
• Email: hbradbury@lainternational.com
• Phone:
• Company Website: https://www.lainternational.com
• Salary/Rate: Up to £500 per day (Inside IR35)
• Deadline: Open until filled (Urgent UK Telecom Assurance Opening)
• Notice Period: Immediate to 2 Weeks Preferred
• Contract Duration: Initial 6 Months Contract (Potential Extension / Hybrid Onsite)

Recruitment Pro Tip

• When applying for this QA / Test Leader position through LA International, ensure your resume explicitly highlights your telecommunications test management and supplier assurance portfolio, details your RAN KPI monitoring experience, and confirms your SC clearance status or eligibility.

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